Drywood termites are a type of wood-destroying insect that commonly infests homes and other structures. These pests are especially prevalent in warm and dry climates.
To satisfy your curiosity, drywood termites get their name from their habit of living in dry wood. Oppose this to other types of termites that live in moist soil. Drywood termites can cause extensive damage to homes and other buildings, as they feed on wood and destroy structural integrity.
Why Drywood Termites Swarm and When?
Drywood termites swarm to reproduce. Their reproductive caste, called alates, leaves the colony to mate and start new colonies. Alates are winged and about 1/4-inch long. They have black bodies with pale wings.
Alates swarm on a sunny day after a rain shower. You may see them flying around your home or building, especially if it has wood. When you see drywood termites swarmers inside or outside your home, do not panic! These pests are not aggressive and will not bite.
But it is important to call BioTech Termite and Pest Control to treat the infestation as soon as possible.
What are Signs of Drywood Termites?
When you see what looks like winged ants in your home, you have a drywood termite infestation. Other signs include:
– Wood that sounds hollow when tapped
– Wood that has small, round holes in it
– Damaged or stained drywall, wallpaper, or paint
– Termite wings on the floor or windowsills
– Mud tubes on the exterior of your home or building
As you see any of these signs, call BioTech Termite and Pest Control for an inspection. We will determine whether you have a drywood termite infestation and take steps to eliminate them.
How Often Do Drywood Termites Swarm?
Drywood termites swarm once or twice a year. But their reproductive cycles can vary depending on the climate and other environmental factors.
The timing of a termite’s swarming season can vary depending on the type. Drywood and West Indian drywoods swarm in early spring. Desert or Western Termite will fly during late summer to fall time frames. These terms are not specific types but rather broad categories for all species. See them constructing new nests at varied times throughout this period!
How Many Drywood Termites are in a Swarm?
The number of drywood termites in a swarm can vary. Some swarms may have only a few termites, while others may have thousands. The size of the swarm depends on the size of the colony and the amount of food available.
When drywood termites swarm, they leave their nests in search of mates. Once they find a mate, they shed their wings and start a new colony. A drywood termite colony can contain anywhere from several hundred to several thousand termites.
The colony of drywood termites contains 4,800 soldiers who defend their home from outside invaders and provide foraging parties to bring food back into the nest.
Do Drywood Termites Swarm at Night?
Drywood termites swarm during the day, after a rain shower. They like light and fly towards windows and doors. You may see them flying around your home or building, especially if it has wood.
When drywood termites swarm at night, they may fly towards porch lights or any other type of light source. As you see them, turn off the lights and call BioTech Termite and Pest Control for an inspection.
Drywood termites have two distinct swarming periods. The Western Dryopteris Termite lives in North America and has a September to November mating season that lasts throughout the night.
Do all Drywood Termites have Wings?
No, not all drywood termites have wings. The reproductive caste called alates has wings. They are winged, about 1/4-inch long, and have black bodies with pale wings.
Drywood termites are not as flashy or colorful in comparison to other types of termites. But they still have the special qualities that make them stand out. For example, these insects can fly due to the presence of wings on alates (winged form).
Another unique feature about drywood’s metro vs nuptial stage? The longer antennae help detect prey from farther away than others with shorter ones can do so.
Do Drywood Termites Need Water?
Drywood termites do not need water to survive. They get the moisture they need from the wood they eat. This is why drywood termites appear in dry climates. They are in all 50 states. But they are more common in humid weather. They need a warm climate and access to wood to survive.
Termites like water, but they need it to digest their food. When you have a termite infestation and do not take care of the problem soon enough, major structural damage may occur.
These termites do not need water. Find them in drywood above ground level. The food from this type of material provides all the moisture these annoying insects require to survive according to Texas A&M System’s AgriLife Extension!
What to Do About Swarming Termites
A drywood termite colony can contain anywhere from several hundred to several thousand termites. When you have an infestation, it is important to take care of the problem as soon as possible. Otherwise, major structural damage may occur.
As you see drywood termites swarm, call BioTech Termite and Pest Control for an inspection. We can help you get rid of these pests and prevent them from causing damage to your home or building.
Drywood termites swarmers can serve as a telltale sign of an infestation.
How Serious are Drywood Termites?
The drywood termite is one of the most destructive pests that can cause major damage. These insects make their nest and build colonies in woods, where they consume wood as food for both themselves or feed it directly to young offspring. These termite species are especially dangerous when nesting near you who may have pets at home that this furry little pest can feed on.
You may see drywood termites swarming around your home or building. This is a sign that you have an infestation and need to take care of it. BioTech Termite and Pest Control can help you get rid of these pests and prevent them from causing damage to your home or building.
How Fast do Drywood Termites Spread?
Drywood termites can spread quickly. When you think about it, termites are kind of like a colony version of ants. They forage almost constantly and can spread up to 150 feet away from their nest when they want more food or space whichever comes first. It only takes days before an infestation occurs with these little pests—and you are talking small packs here, no huge colonies!
Termite infestations can become difficult to control. But several factors affect how quickly the termites spread through your home or business. These include:
- accessibility from the soil around buildings
- colony age or size
- moisture
- quantity of food sources
- topographic features
Do Drywood Termites Bite Humans?
The truth is termites do not bite you. But they do have underdeveloped jaws that do not cause any pain when biting. Their small size makes it difficult for them to inflict injury with these teeth as well.
But soldier termites pose a greater threat because of how large his mouth area looks compared to other types in comparison. This means he can try harder at getting you hurt without avoiding those painful consequences should trouble arise.
The fear of termites can become a huge downside to owning property. But it turns out that there are ways you could protect yourself from having bites. Despite the inability for this pest’s bite or attack on your skin tissue, they still cause plenty of damage when left unchecked!
How Does Human Activity Affect Drywood Termites?
Drywood termites do not have many effects from your activity. But they can become a nuisance when termites swarm around your home or business. This is a sign that you have an infestation and need to take care of it. BioTech Termite and Pest Control can help you get rid of these termites in your New York home or business.
Termites are a significant problem for you, as they can do quite a bit of damage to your structures. They are also important decomposers and provide food sources like moisture in the soil which is good because it is rare.
Do Drywood Termites Leave on Their Own?
It is unlikely that drywood termites will leave your home on their own. The only way to get rid of drywood termites is with professional intervention. They will not go away on their own and will cause more damage when you wait.
So the sooner you take care of it in an area for good, the less work needs doing later down the line when new infestations arise again! This pest has traveled far via luggage or other means and already established colony paths.
What Happens if you Don’t Treat Drywood Termites?
When you do not treat drywood termites, they will cause damage to your home or building. This damage can become costly and time-consuming to repair. Drywood termites can also spread to other parts of your home or building, causing more damage.
The only way to keep away from drywood termites is by making sure there are no small cracks, crevices, or joints in your home that they might enter through. They live entirely on wood with no contact needed and require dirt and moisture as their additional sources of sustenance.
How do you Treat Drywood Termites in the Wall?
Treat drywood termites in the wall with a few varied methods. One is to use a liquid insecticide that injects into the dry wall. This will kill them staying inside. Another method is to use bait stations. These are around the perimeter of the house and attract drywood termites to them so they can die.
Whichever method you choose, make sure that Biotech Termite and Pest Control does it. Do not try to do it yourself as drywood termites are difficult to get rid of and you might only make the problem worse.
What Temperature Kills Drywood Termites?
The ideal temperature to kill drywood termites is 120 degrees Fahrenheit. This will dry them out and cause them to die. You can achieve this by using a space heater, heat gun, or even a blow dryer. Make sure that the area you are trying to kill the termites in is well-ventilated, as the fumes from the heat can become harmful.
To get rid of drywood termites, you need to keep your item at an elevated temperature for four hours. The best way is with heat treatment and do this in either 140° F (or 60 °C) hot boxes or cookers. Their specific design is for killing these pests on small wooden items like furniture.
What is the Best Way to Get Rid of Drywood Termites?
The best way to get rid of drywood termites is by using a professional company like Biotech Termite and Pest Control. They can assess the situation and find the most suitable course of action for your home or building. Trying to get rid of drywood termites on your own can pose a challenge. You might only make the problem worse.
How Long does it Take for Drywood Termites to Cause Structural Damage?
Drywood termites can cause structural damage within a few months. But the amount of damage they cause depends on the size of the colony. When the colony is small, the damage might not become significant. But when the colony is large, they can cause a lot of ruin to your home or building. The sooner you take care of the problem, the less damage they will cause.
They can cause extensive damage to homes. But nobody knows for sure how long it takes them to do so. Pest control professionals estimate that these infestations may take up three to eight years before showing signs of trouble!
What is Worse? Drywood Termites or Subterranean Termites
Drywood termites are worse than subterranean termites. They cause more damage to your home or building and can become hard to get rid of. Subterranean termites live in the soil and need contact with it to survive. This means that they can disappear quickly as you treat the soil around your residence or building.
Pay attention to the insect you came across. Unlike flying ants, termite swarmers have all wings of equal size, a straight waist, and long antennae that trail behind them.